Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes has a high opinion of promising mare Mihiri, but he admits he is unsure whether she can beat Catkins in the 2015 Breeders Classic at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
Mihiri will make her debut at Group level in the 2015 Breeders Classic at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Mihiri started her summer campaign with a fast-finishing second behind Fiftyshadesofgrey in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 12 and was second again in the Tab.Com.Au Handicap (1100m) at the same venue on January 3 before she returned to winning form with a dominant victory in the James Boag’s Premium Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on January 24.
Hawkes told Racing Ahead that he could not have been more impressed with the victory of Mihiri, but he believes that the More Than Ready mare would have to go to another level to be any chance of beating Catkins in the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) this weekend
“She won and won with authority, but this is a much stronger race,” Hawkes said.
“The mare of Chris Waller’s is a pretty smart horse.
“She might not have got all the breaks and done everything right in the Group 1 during the Carnival at Flemington, but if you line them up one on one Catkins probably has her measure.
“She is certainly up to Stakes class this filly.
“It was a great win the other day and I think we just need to hope Catkins does some things wrong and we do everything right.”
Mihiri made her racing debut under the care of Guy Walter in June of 2013 and failed to fire in her first three race starts before being sent to the spelling paddock.
She started her autumn campaign with a dominant three and a half lengths win in a maiden at Wyong in April last year and she scored another dominant win at Goulburn before she took out The Grange Hotel Handicap (1100m) at Gosford on July 24 in her first race start for the Hawkes stable.
Team Hawkes are chasing their first win in the Breeders Classic after finishing second with Spinner’s Magic in 2007.
Mihiri is currently available at 2015 Breeders Classic odds of $7.50, while last year’s winner Catkins ($1.90) remains a clear favourite from John Sargent-trained Neena Rock ($8.50), the well-backed Plucky Belle ($9), Team Snowden-trained Marianne ($10), Kiwi mare Role Model ($13) and the highly-rated Lilliburlero ($13).
